Not long after Cheng Ran found a seat, a girl in a green military uniform with two braids sat down next to him.
He was looking out the window when someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder.
"Comrade, hello, are you also going to the army?"
Upon hearing the voice, Cheng Ran turned around and saw that it was a woman. He immediately distanced himself, gave a polite but curt smile, and didn't say anything.
Seeing that he was distant, the girl smoothed her braids, smiled, and revealed two small dimples.
"Um... don't misunderstand, my name is Yuan Nian, and I'm also going to the army. I'm from the cultural troupe, and I'm going to perform for the comrades in the Southwest Military Region. I think you have a military bearing, and I heard that someone will be joining the troops there recently, so I asked you about you."
This person was a bit annoying, but since they were comrades, Cheng Ran nodded in response. Unexpectedly, she didn't give up. After showing a delighted expression, she reached out her hand to him.
"Hello, let's get to know each other. What's your name?"
He frowned, didn't respond, didn't shake hands, and politely declined indifferently.
"I'm sorry, it's not convenient to disclose that information."
"Ah... alright, I was presumptuous."
Having said all that, anyone with a modicum of sense would have stopped, but Yuan Nian did not; she instead scrutinized Cheng Ran even more closely.
He hated being observed and stared at like this, and suddenly realizing that the person in front of him was a comrade made him feel quite embarrassed.
Just as he was about to speak up and remind Zhizhi of her impolite behavior, she suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" and clapped her hands exaggeratedly before covering her mouth. The whole process and all her actions seemed pretentious to watch.
"I remember now, no wonder you looked familiar. Aren't you surnamed Cheng?"
Hmm? Cheng Ran narrowed his eyes. Did she know him? Or was she just guessing?
He remained silent, while she continued talking to herself.
"It must be you, Cheng Ran, right? I've seen you before, and... our parents were even comrades-in-arms! I never expected to see you here."
Hearing her say that her parents were comrades-in-arms, Cheng Ran felt completely overwhelmed. First Guo Xueyun, then Wang Yan, and now Yuan Nian...
Although Cheng Ran's rationality told him that he shouldn't be prejudiced or have preconceived notions, he couldn't help but become even more wary.
"We weren't familiar with each other before, please have some self-respect."
Upon hearing this, her face fell slightly. She hadn't expected that even after revealing her identity, he would still react this way, without showing any emotion whatsoever.
Yuan Nian took a breath, pursed her lips, sat up straight, and nodded.
"I know you're married and have children, and you don't want to get too close to other women, but I'm really just happy to meet you here. I don't mean anything by it, and I hope you don't misunderstand."
Cheng Ran raised an eyebrow noncommittally, placed the small piece of luggage in the middle to separate herself from her, crossed her arms, and closed her eyes for a short rest.
Yuan Nian felt awkward and a little sad. She thought to herself, when had she ever been so humble? If it were anyone else, she would have forgotten about them long ago.
As for Cheng Ran... she took the opportunity while he closed his eyes to rest to carefully examine him again.
He's really handsome. Even though he's married and has children, there are still some rough marks on his face from the sun and wind, but that's part of his charm.
I heard from my parents that Cheng Ran's parents are not satisfied with their daughter-in-law, if...
Yuan Nian covered her mouth and laughed. Just you wait and see!
Ten days after Cheng Ran was discharged from the army, Jiang Wanqing had already solved the problem of her daughter's schooling.
That day, she was leading her daughter to school to begin her new school life. They had just crossed the street from the school when suddenly two adults and one child rushed out.
It was Guihua and her husband, along with their son Yaozu, who had just been released from detention.
Jiang Wanqing pretended not to see them and tried to walk around them, but they blocked her way.
This time, Xue Gang was a bit more temperamental. Perhaps he was afraid of being locked up and got angry. His face was unshaven and his hair was unkempt, making him look like a homeless person on the street.
"Wanqing, we were like siblings, even cousins, yet you got me and Guihua imprisoned. Now our reputations are ruined, we're penniless, and our daughter is being held by you. You're deliberately trying to make our lives miserable! What good will it do you to tear off our facade? You must compensate us!"
“That’s right! You shameless woman! You don’t even spare your own relatives. If we spread your story back to your hometown, let’s see if you’ll ever have the face to go back!” Guihua added.
Jiang Wanqing rolled her eyes: "Then go ahead, but don't just talk the talk, and remember to spread the word far and wide, down to the smallest detail."
On the one hand, she felt no guilt; on the other hand, many people in her hometown were not worth her attention and had no impact on her whatsoever.
Upon seeing this, Guihua was speechless and changed her approach.
"You're not allowed to leave! Pay up! Compensation for emotional distress, and the money for raising the child!"
"What?!"
Thinking she had misheard, Jiang Wanqing frowned, then suddenly laughed.
"Extorting money in the street? Haven't you had enough of jail time? Do you want to keep eating the government's rice in jail?"
"you……"
Guihua was furious and about to explode when Xue Gang quickly pulled her aside and whispered a reminder.
"Don't fall for her tricks. Our main goal today is to get money. Don't get yourself involved again."
Her eyes darted around, and she reached out her hand to Jiang Wanqing.
"Ten thousand yuan! To compensate us for the emotional distress we've suffered these past few days, and another ten thousand yuan is for the compensation you gave us for taking Zhao Di away from us!"
"You shameless cousins, you're so thick-skinned!"
Nannan made a face at them. Even at such a young age, she couldn't stand their nonsense.
"You little slut! Just like your mother! Whoever marries you will be incredibly unlucky!"
"Don't worry, she's a blessed woman who wouldn't marry into an unfortunate family!"
Jiang Wanqing was about to retort when a voice beat her to it. Turning around, she saw Xiao Wei leading Qiangqiang over.
"Who...who are you? Stop meddling in our business! This is our own family matter, none of your concern!"
"It's terrible to be uncultured. Extorting money in the street is something any law-abiding citizen would do. My relative works at a newspaper. If you don't want your ugly face to appear in the newspaper, you'd better get lost! Ten thousand after ten thousand, you're ugly, but you think you're so great. Get lost!"
It has to be said that since the oppression of Wang's parents was lifted, Xiao Wei's fighting power has become truly remarkable. Jiang Wanqing even wanted to give her a thumbs up.
"Bad auntie, bad uncle, shameless! Bullying honest people, be careful the police will arrest you!" Qiangqiang also cursed them.
Guihua was furious, but she didn't have any more time to argue with them, and she was afraid of attracting the police again, so she could only throw out a few harsh words at the end.
She warned Jiang Wanqing, "I'm only giving you two days to give us the money, or we'll be bringing the police to take her away! You feel sorry for that good-for-nothing Xue Zhaodi, don't you? Humph, no matter what, we are her parents. Even if we take her back and beat her to death, that's her fate!"
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